Motion detectors and occupancy sensors with improved sensitivity, angular resolution and range

• US 6,690,018 B1
• Filed: 07/18/2001
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electro-Optic Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Electro-Optic Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Barone, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gabor, Otilia
• Application Number:
  US09/830,594
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 250/353, 250/347, 250/342, 250/349, 250/221, 250/222.1, 250/DIG.1
• US Class Current: 250/353
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/193 using focusing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 250/01 Passive intrusion detectors

Abstract

Apparatus for improving the sensitivity, angular resolution and range of motion detectors, occupancy sensors and similar systems include an improved infrared input section which employs at least one additional lens, possibly segmented, before a lens array. This pre-focusing lens collects and at least partially focuses incident infrared radiation onto at least one element of the lens array. The lens array focuses the radiation onto a detector.

Claims

1. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems comprising:

a first lens array of one or more elements, at least one element being positioned to receive and at least partially focus incident infrared radiation;

a second lens array including a plurality of elements, at least one element being positioned to receive and focus the partially focused infrared radiation; and

at least one detector positioned to receive the infrared radiation focused by the second lens array.

2. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 1 wherein the first lens array includes one or more elements that focus incident infrared radiation directly onto at least one detector and one or more elements that partially focus incident infrared radiation onto one or more elements of the second lens array.

3. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 2 wherein the first lens array is substantially flat and is positioned substantially flush with a front surface of the system.

4. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 2 further comprising an intermediate lens array positioned between the first lens array and the second lens array.

5. An infrared input section for motion detecetors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 1 wherein the first lens array is substantially flat and is positioned substantially flush with a front surface of the system.

6. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 1 further comprising an intermediate lens array positioned between the first lens array and the second lens array.

7. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 6 wherein at least one of the lens arrays includes one or more microlenses.

8. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 6 wherein at least one of the lens arrays is a diffractive optics array.

9. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 1 wherein at least one of the lens arrays includes one or more microlenses.

10. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 1 wherein at least one of the lens arrays is a diffractive optics array.

11. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems comprising:

at least one mirror positioned adjacent to an infrared entrance aperture, the at least one mirror directing and optionally partially focusing incident infrared radiation;

a first lens array of one or more elements, at least one element positioned to receive and focus incident infrared radiation directed by the at least one mirror;

a second lens array including a plurality of elements, at least one element being positioned to receive and further focus infrared radiation focused by the first lens array; and

at least one detector positioned to receive infrared radiation focused by the second lens array.

12. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 11 wherein the at least one mirror is configured to focus incident infrared radiation directly onto the at least one detector.

13. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 12 further comprising an intermediate lens array positioned between the first lens array and the second lens array.

14. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 12 further comprising a clear cover element through which incident infrared radiation passes before being directed by the at least one mirror.

15. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 14 the clear cover element comprises one or more lens elements.

16. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 11 further comprising an intermediate lens array positioned between the first lens array and the second lens array.

17. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 16 wherein at least one of the lens arrays includes one or more microlenses.

18. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 16 wherein at least one of the lens arrays is a diffractive optics array.

19. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 11 further comprising a clear cover element through which incident infrared radiation passes before being directed by the at least one mirror.

20. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 19 wherein the clear cover element comprises one or more lens elements.

21. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 11 wherein at least one of the lens arrays includes one or more microlenses.

22. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 11 wherein at least one of the lens arrays is a diffractive optics array.

23. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems comprising:

a first lens array of one or more elements, at least one element being positioned to receive and at least partially focus incident infrared radiation;

at least one mirror positioned to reflect infrared radiation partially focused by the first lens array;

a second lens array including a plurality of elements, at least one element being positioned to receive and further focus infrared radiation reflected by the at least one mirror; and

at least one detector positioned to receive infrared radiation focused by the second lens array.

24. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 23 wherein the at least one mirror reflects incident infrared radiation directly onto the at least one detector.

25. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 24 further comprising an intermediate lens array positioned between the first lens array and the second lens array.

26. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 23 further comprising an intermediate lens array positioned between the first lens array and the second lens array.

27. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 26 wherein at least one of the lens arrays includes one or more microlenses.

28. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 26 wherein at least one of the lens arrays is a diffractive optics array.

29. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 23 wherein at least one of the lens arrays includes one or more microlenses.

30. An infrared input section for motion detectors, occupancy sensors and other similar systems as in claim 23 wherein at least one of the lens arrays is a diffractive optics array.